NYC artistic heavyweight Chris Bors curated Spacegrass, a group show at Bloom Projects in New York (95 East 7th Street, downstairs) opening September 8th. The exhibition features works from a couple B/D favs including Allison Schulnik, Todd James, and Aaron Zimmerman. Check out some preview shots after the jump.

In honor of Rineke Dijkstra‘s retrospective currently on view at the Guggenheim, we figured we’d do our own little rundown of the photographer’s work. Dijkstra’s portraits illuminate all the subtle emotions and struggles inherent in being a youngster. When you’re a kid, you can’t help but be the underdog. Some cosmic order of the universe is keeping you down in some way. You want to be taller, smarter; or maybe you want a pair of sneakers that you can’t afford. And all the while, you’re not sure if you’ll ever make it out of adolescence alive. And your lack of hope makes the whole process that much worse. The painful existence of childhood brings about a certain unique wisdom. It’s not true wisdom (you haven’t experienced enough of life to be wise), but it’s close. Maybe the right term is jaded. In Dijkstra’s photographs, youthful subjects stare out at us in disdain: “what are you gonna throw at me next?” And you just want to tell them that everything’s going to be alright, that it gets better with time. But then you wonder if you’d be lying. Reconnect with your younger self with more images after the jump.

California artist/designer/illustrator Steven Harrington recently opened a large solo show at Known Gallery in L.A. Harrington is known for steezy, vibed out psychedelic characters and patterns. He’s worked on a slew of projects, including collabs with Nike and Arkitip mag, to bring his singular aesthetic to the masses. This show, entitled INSIDEOUT, is still up until September 1st. But in case you don’t have the chance to check it out in person, catch some installation shots after the jump. The “You&I” sculpture (above) is especially nice.

Diggin’ Heads, an aptly titled series from Baltimore-based artist Aaron Dunn. From the artist:

Heads is a series of carved paint pour(traits). It’s my likening of artists to Doctor Frankensteins, and a contemplation of what we might owe our work if it lived and breathed. Heads began as a parody of macho chest-thumpers like Pollock and Koons, but grew into a joyful exploration/recontextualization of the possibilities of ‘traditional’ painting media: this includes the physical incorporation of paintbrush bristles/handles and other hardware into the work, as well as poured, dissected and dripping paint in all kinds of messy 3D applications.

Really creative process and it seems to be working out well too- the works are definitely bee’s knees material. See more after the jump, including Dunn’s take on Homer Simpson.

Kristine Five Melvær is a Norwegian designer who brings a really subtle, but affective approach to the table. This Bloom lamp series is great. Inspired by natural forms, the shades call to mind “buds, fruit, or water”. Each of the three lamps are a different height, which promotes a sense of organic incongruity. The shades are made of canvas, which, though a possible fire hazard, goes along nicely with the earthy vibe of each piece. (via)

Andy Ristaino is the lead designer at Adventure Time. His online portfolio is insanity. Yeah, Ristaino’s got the whole psychedelic thing pretty much down. But he’s also doing a lot more. This is what it looks like when you reach a high level within your craft. His blog is worth a click as well. (via)

“My goal with this project is to create striking juxtapositions between the ruins of modern civilization and a futuristic ecological utopia.”

Brooklyn-based artist/illustrator Nick Pedersen -whom we featured in the 6th installment of our limited edition book series– recently finished a new batch of work entitled Ultima. The loosely narrative series depicts a post-apocalyptic environment in which conflicts between modern and early cultures, and man and the natural world are given prominent attention. In the world that Pedersen has conjured, overgrown cities (though absent of their typical, busy inhabitants) are full of life. The lush, green environments project a vibrancy that’s really appealing. But the digital works have their quiet aspects too- deer slowly pick their way through the brush; and stoic, masked tribesmen explore their bizarre surroundings. Check out more images from Ultima after the jump.

These bright, candied installation pieces are the work of Australian artist Tanya Schultz. Working under the name Pip & Pop, Schultz employs sugar, glitter, fake flowers, and a myriad of other materials to produce the colorful mounds of awesomeness. It’s not a far stretch to picture the works as actual landscapes- to fantasize about walking around in Pip & Pop’s unique world. Diabetes was never so easy on the eyes ’til now. More after the jump. (via)